The Stranger's Wife: A totally gripping psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist

The story follows two abused women; Beth's suffering is largely psychological, bestowed by her cold, uncaring but wealthy husband and father of their young daughter. For love, she turns to an affair with a man who isn't shy about showing affection to her or her daughter. Catherine's abuse is both psychological and physical, the latter often turning so violent that she ends up in the hospital. In part because her husband threatens to kill her if she leaves - and in part because she has no clue what she would do even if she did - she stays in the marriage but fears the worst. Ultimately, Beth tells her husband Evan that she's found a new love and wants a divorce; he shows little emotion even then, but there's a not-so-thinly-veiled threat that he'll use his money and power to discredit Beth and gain custody of their daughter (at the very least). Riley gets involved early on when the couple's nanny and Beth's dear friend Marta goes missing and Beth calls in the police. Marta's disappearance remains a mystery that stymies the police, but then "things" happen to other key characters in both women's worlds that require further police investigation. The "aha" moment, if you will, comes when Beth and Catherine actually meet; at that point it's clear (or at least it was to me) how the story would progress. The only question is specifically how it will end for the two women. Of course, I won't divulge anything except to say there are a couple of twists. Although a few parts seemed a bit repetitive and I've read variations on this plot before, overall this is an easy-to-read, fast-paced and attention-holding book. In fact, I was grateful for the holiday lull in regular TV programming that allowed me to finish the remaining quarter without stopping - simply because I couldn't wait to get to the end. Well done, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

I am such a sucker for a great cover and sometimes this is what makes me want to read a book before I even know what it is about. This was definitely the case with The Stranger’s Wife. It is so compelling and had me drawn to it straight away. After then reading the blurb, it was a no brainer that this was a must read and it didn’t take me long to get completely caught up into the worlds of Beth and Cath and the drama that Anna-Lou has expertly created. I also really enjoyed the quote used in the epigraph from William Shakespeare “Hell is empty and all the devils are here”. It is one of my favourite quotes from the great man and is quite fitting to this story. The Stranger’s Wife is one twisted addictive read and is absolutely brilliant! Anna-Lou had me completely immersed in this story and invested into the characters of Beth and Cath right from the beginning and I could not turn the pages fast enough to see how it was all going to unfold. When I got there I was not disappointed at all, only that it had come to an end. Starting with a chilling prologue that sets the tone of the story, the reader is then taken on a wild ride full of twists and turns that evoke so many different emotions with plenty of suspense and surprises along the way. I was exhausted by the end of it, but in a good way. The characterisation in this book is second to none. Anna-Lou has created Beth and Cath perfectly and I loved them both and was rooting for them throughout the story. One from wealth and one from squalor they couldn’t be more different looking in from the outside, but when looking in on the inside they are both one and the same. Both living with abusive husbands although one is psychical where the other is more a silent abuser, these men are despicable and I absolutely detested them both. I do have to say though they have been written so well as the villains that on multiple occasions I just wanted to reach into my kindle and slap them both! This is the first book I have read from Anna-Lou, but what made The Stranger’s Wife even more appealing to me was the execution. Anna-Lou has a very unique style and everything just comes together so seamlessly without any effort. I found it hard to pull myself away from it at times as it certainly got and kept my attention throughout. When I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it which for me is what makes a book great. Even after having finished it for awhile now it still comes into my head every now and then. When I started this review, I had read from other reviewers that this book is the third in the Detective Dan Riley series. Not realising this, I would not have even noticed to be honest if I didn’t read that. The book can definitely be read as a stand-alone and in no way changes my view or rating by not knowing this upfront. For me it is actually a bonus. Having really enjoyed Dan’s character and always having it in the back of my mind that he would make for a great series front runner, I will be looking forward to going back and reading the first two books and gaining more insight into him. All up The Stranger’s Wife is the perfect book to get lost in. With a gripping and intriguing plot, strong characters and writing that is engaging, it is a first class psychological thriller all round. I am so glad that I have been introduced to Anna-Lou’s work and I am really looking forward to seeing what that wicked mind of hers comes up with next! It was an absolute pleasure to be able to read and review The Stranger’s Wife which i can’t recommend highly enough. Thank-you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Anna-Lou Weatherley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of The Stranger’s Wife which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

“Fear was a governess most people did not understand, not really. It muddles your mind. No one understands anything until they have truly lived it.” 3.5 This was my first read from Anna Lou Weatherley. I didn’t realize that this book was number three in the Detective Dan Riley series, but it was fine because although some characters remain the same, there isn’t really an ongoing story. At least I didn’t pick up on one as I read The Stranger’s Wife. Which was a pretty twisted tale. I don’t want to say much, because I honestly feel this one is best read without even the vaguest spoiler. What I will say is that there wasn’t much to solve with this suspenseful thriller. It was quite obvious what probably occurred, but I think that’s what made the entire thing so scary. You’re sent one way, but then you just know that the obvious, terrifying answer is probably the truth. The main characters have very real stories, even if they are a bit exaggerated at some points, but yes. You feel for some of the characters, because their stories are very much realities people face daily. I think Weatherley did a great job writing about heavy subject matter and also keeping the story flowing on track. I will say that my only true complaint is that there is a bit of time jumping, and it’s not that distant in time, so it’s a bit confusing to keep up with at first. All in all this was a great read. I enjoyed it, and will definitely recommend it to anyone who likes suspenseful reads. There are quite a few triggering topics covered, but by the end it feels as though some form of justice has been served.